Stories for Faculty and Staff

man stands outside with trees and a building in the background

Marshall Scholarship finalist Michael Pitre studies the circuitry of the brain -- and plans a future in neurosurgery

December 08, 2025, Page Ivey

South Carolina Honors College student Michael Pitre likes to get up around 3 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to make the two-hour drive to Folly Beach to surf at the Washout before heading back to Columbia and his 11:40 a.m. class. It’s a regimen that aligns nicely with the Marshall Scholar finalist’s jam-packed schedule that includes earning his BARSC-MD degree in just three years, working as an emergency medical technician, and researching the circuitry of the brain on his way to becoming a neurosurgeon.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Recognition, Health Sciences, Student Voices, Medicine (Columbia), South Carolina Honors College

Man standing in medical research lab

Future physician-scientist selected as Marshall Scholarship finalist

November 11, 2025, Valerie Weingart

South Carolina Honors College student Michael Pitre has been named a finalist for the 2026 Marshall Scholarships. If selected, he plans to pursue an MPhil in biological sciences to develop novel treatments for Parkinson's disease before returning to USC for medical school.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Health Sciences, Leadership, Careers, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina Honors College

Landon Pitts looks at a laptop alongside two peers.

Social work initiative expands behavioral health care access in rural South Carolina

November 10, 2025, Carol JG Ward

The University of South Carolina’s Rural Occupations Workforce Expansion (ROWE) program trains MSW students to serve in underserved communities, strengthening South Carolina’s rural behavioral health workforce and improving access to mental health care.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences, SC Impact, College of Social Work

Students walk along brick pathway on campus during fall

First-generation students bring perspective, energy to USC campus

October 31, 2025, Megan Sexton

As the university marks the celebration of First-Gen College Celebration Week, we caught up with first-generation students, alumni, faculty and staff who are thriving in the classroom and beyond.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Initiatives, Diversity, SC Impact, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper looking toward video screen displaying logo and photo of students

Department of Sport and Entertainment Management named for David and Nicole Tepper

October 14, 2025, Allen Wallace

USC announces the newly named David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management in honor of its visionary partners. A new $5 million investment extends their longstanding support for high-achieving students and adds funding for elite practitioner-educators.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Partnerships, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Ann Vail, dean of The Graduate School, puts an award around the neck of an award winner at the 2025 Recognition of Excellence Ceremony

Graduate award winners recognized

May 19, 2025, Thom Harman, with Matt Klopfenstein

The Graduate School recently announced and recognized its 2025 Graduate Student Award winners and Trustee Fellowship recipients, as well as the graduates from the school’s scholarly initiatives. The school held its annual Recognition of Excellence Ceremony on April 25 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Topics: Students, Academics, Scholarships, Graduate Studies, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, The Graduate School, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, Medicine (Columbia), College of Pharmacy, Arnold School of Public Health, College of Social Work

Photo of brick smokestack with USC in white letters

Faces of first-gen at USC

October 31, 2024, Hannah Cambre

At USC, where one in five students identify as first-generation, the university is doing more than ever to help this important and growing population flourish with resources and support. We sat down with five first-gen students to learn more about their stories and the people and resources that have helped them thrive at USC.

Topics: Students, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Initiatives, Diversity, SC Impact, Service, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Information and Communications, school-of-law

Woman outdoors on ship

Support and passion bring Honors College alumna into the 'ocean twilight zone'

May 22, 2024, Kathryn McPhail

Honors College alumna Kayla Gardner’s passion for protecting the ocean and teaching others to do the same led her to pursue a career in marine science. Unlike many young people who are drawn to dolphins, turtles or sharks, much smaller creatures sparked Gardner’s interest.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Careers, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, South Carolina Honors College

USC Engineering student works on research in Columbia.

Engineering a brighter future for South Carolina: USC's College of Engineering and Computing

April 15, 2024, Hossein Haj-Hariri

Hossein Haj-Hariri, dean of USC's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, writes about the college's growth, education and research innovation and impact on South Carolina's economic and infrastructure planning.

Topics: Students, Faculty, University Leadership, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Leadership, Careers, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, Executive Op-eds

three people sit on a bench in a garden setting

USC has 3 Goldwater scholars in 2024

March 29, 2024, Communications and Marketing

Three University of South Carolina students were awarded prestigious Goldwater scholarships Friday. They are: Caroline Rucker, a junior biomedical engineering major from Powhatan, Virginia; Jeremiah Tobin, a junior biomedical engineering major from Greenville; and Katelyn Wyandt, a junior computer science major from Summerville, South Carolina. All three are Honors College students studying in the College of Engineering and Computing.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Recognition, Student Voices, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, South Carolina Honors College

Fractured shards forming a Gamecock rests on a garnet-painted wall.

Adding the next piece: Scholarship provides financial aid to accounting majors

February 15, 2024, Victoria Nelson

After earning an undergraduate degree in business administration from the College of Charleston, Columbia native Jeff Kososki took advantage of his proximity to USC by enrolling in several accounting classes needed to earn his CPA designation. His love for the Gamecocks, and the community, never stopped. Now his family is honoring his legacy with the Jeff Kososki Endowed Scholarship Fund, which provides financial aid to accounting majors in the Darla Moore School of Business who are working toward their CPA certifications.

Topics: Alumni, Scholarships, Philanthropy, Darla Moore School of Business

Photo of student walking on the Horseshoe

First-generation college students bring resilience, perspectives to USC campus

November 03, 2023, Megan Sexton

First-generation college students come from all sorts of backgrounds and bring a variety of perspectives to campus. At USC, about one-fifth of the student population identifies as first-generation college students, meaning their parents did not earn a four-year college degree.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Initiatives, Diversity, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina Honors College

USC Cocky Statue

ICYMI: Ten big things happening at the university

August 30, 2023, Lauryn Jiles

The university never sleeps, but it does slow down a bit during the summer. With the start of the fall semester, here’s a reminder of some recent happenings that you might have missed, plus a heads up about some major upcoming events.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University President, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Initiatives, History, Collections, Recognition, Signature Events, Partnerships, Health Sciences, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, University Libraries

Josh Hughes sits on a horse with mountains in the background in Kyrgyzstan

Change of plans: A canceled study abroad trip leads to new career goals

July 21, 2023, Hannah Cambre

One week before Josh Hughes planned to study abroad in Ukraine, his trip was canceled because of the escalating conflict with Russia. He was disappointed-- until a new opportunity arose in Kyrgyzstan. Now, he's returned to his host country on a Critical Language scholarship.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, South Carolina Honors College

Two women look at a laptop screen

Boeing offers engineering scholarships, career opportunities

May 18, 2023, Lauryn Jiles

The University of South Carolina is one of only six institutions in the country selected to partner with Boeing on its Accelerated Leadership Program, in which a select group of students will gain hands-on learning experience working with engineering projects and innovative technologies

Topics: Students, Faculty, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Partnerships, Leadership, Careers, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

lines of people presenting and conversing at a convention

Discover USC

April 13, 2023, Reagin von Lehe

The Discover USC event showcases student research at the university, especially the work of seniors, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. These projects represent all disciplines in research, scholarship, leadership and creativity. Sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research, the annual, systemwide showcase will be held 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 21 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, speakers, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Signature Events, Leadership, Student Voices

Maggie Kemp, December 2022 graduate

Graduating engineering student looks ahead to career in coastal conservation

December 02, 2022, Chris Horn

Maggie Kemp grew up a five-minute drive from windswept Assateague Island National Seashore on the Maryland coast, and that locale inspired her undergraduate research pursuits and plans for graduate school at USC.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, South Carolina Honors College

Photo of Jazmine Lara Guerrero, a first-gen student

First-generation college students add energy, resilience to USC campus

November 04, 2022, Megan Sexton

There is no typical first-generation college student. Some come from immigrant families, some from households where family members didn’t graduate from high school. But all add energy and variety to the University of South Carolina campus.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Initiatives, Diversity, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina Honors College

Photo of Jazmine Lara Guerrero, a first-gen student

First-generation college students add energy, resilience to USC campus

November 04, 2022, Megan Sexton

There is no typical first-generation college student. Some come from immigrant families, some from households where family members didn’t graduate from high school. But all add energy and variety to the University of South Carolina campus.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Initiatives, Diversity, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina Honors College

Photo of Jazmine Lara Guerrero, a first-gen student

First-generation college students add energy, resilience to USC campus

November 04, 2022, Megan Sexton

There is no typical first-generation college student. Some come from immigrant families, some from households where family members didn’t graduate from high school. But all add energy and variety to the University of South Carolina campus.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Initiatives, Diversity, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina Honors College

A nursing student practices on a mannekin while a professor observes.

Columbia, Upstate campuses to receive Prisma Health funding for nursing programs

October 03, 2022, Kyndel Lee

The University of South Carolina’s Columbia and Upstate campuses are recipients of an investment in scholarships by Prisma Health to help counter the state’s critical nursing shortage.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Initiatives, Economic Engagement, Partnerships, Health Sciences, Leadership, Careers, College of Nursing

Students and alumni working at hotel, people dining in background

UofSC hospitality and tourism management program leads SEC, makes national top 10

July 26, 2022, Allen Wallace

For the fourth consecutive year, the University of South Carolina is among the top 10 in the country in hospitality and tourism management and No. 18 worldwide, according to the ShanghaiRanking’s 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Leadership, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Invisible No More book jacket mockup

Essay collection sheds light on the largely unknown history of Black people at UofSC

January 31, 2022, Chris Horn

The University of South Carolina desegregated in 1963, but the history of Black people on campus extends back to the university’s beginning in the early 19th century. In 10 illuminating essays edited by Robert Greene II and Tyler Parry, Invisible No More (USC Press 2021) tells that story.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Scholarships, Initiatives, History, Service, Leadership, Careers, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

donna walker

Leadership program puts pharmacists on forefront of improving health care

January 11, 2022, Page Ivey

Helping develop and inspire pharmacy leaders is the goal of the Walker Leadership Scholars Program at the University of South Carolina’s College of Pharmacy, says program founder Donna Walker (1979 pharmacy, 1984 MBA). Each year, the competitive program selects two high-capacity students from the first-year pharmacy class to be scholars for three consecutive years.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Health Sciences, Leadership, College of Pharmacy

UofSC campus in the autumn sunshine

New fellowship provides underrepresented South Carolinians a path to graduate education

November 12, 2021, Abe Danaher

The University of South Carolina has started a fellowship aimed at increasing diversity in its graduate school ranks. Through partnerships with historically black colleges and universities across the state, the Rising Star Fellowship will remove financial barriers for underrepresented students interested in continuing their education.

Topics: University Leadership, Scholarships, Graduate Studies, Diversity

Molly O'Malley beside helicopter

Former Marine Corps pilot awarded scholarship as she pursues speech-language pathology degree

November 08, 2021, Chris Horn

During her 12 years as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot, Maj. Molly O’Malley flew in a war zone and quickly learned to make split-second decisions up in the air and deal with daily challenges on the ground. But transitioning from full-time military pilot to part-time graduate student at South Carolina hasn’t turned out to be the cakewalk you might imagine.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Arnold School of Public Health

Allie Trice will attend graduate school at Oxford thanks to the Barry Scholarship

English, history graduate is first UofSC recipient of Barry Scholarship to study at Oxford

June 14, 2021, Page Ivey

Allie Trice was an outstanding undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina, excelling in class and conducting publishable research. But a dedication to the pursuit of truth is even more important for the university’s first recipient of the Barry Scholarship, which opened the door to graduate school at the University of Oxford.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Graduate Studies, History, Recognition, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

two female and one male student wearing masks

Curiosity, scientific research lead to prestigious award for UofSC students

March 31, 2021, Carol J.G.Ward

Research opportunities, passionate faculty mentors and the chance to explore diverse interests drew the University of South Carolina’s 2021 Goldwater Scholarship recipients to the Columbia campus. The prestigious scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate STEM majors across the country who are interested in pursuing research careers in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Recognition, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, South Carolina Honors College

Reggie, Connor and Ian Bain

3 brothers, 3 Goldwater Scholarships, 1 passion

March 15, 2021, Aïda Rogers and Chris Horn

Reggie, Connor and Ian Bain all double majored in mathematics and a field of science, they’re all alumni of the University of South Carolina’s Honors College (Ian graduates in May) and Carolina Scholars and each was named a Goldwater Scholar, which is considered the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate award for STEM majors.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, School of Music, South Carolina Honors College

Ian MacLeod and Shane Weatherford on balcony smiling.

VA program helps veterans transition to medical careers

November 09, 2020, Margaret Gregory

Two members of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia Class of 2024 are bringing unique perspectives as they train for their future careers in medicine. Before entering medical school, Ian MacLeod and Shane Weatherford served their country in the U.S. armed services. Both are able to pursue their education thanks to the Veterans Healing Veterans Scholarship.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Philanthropy, Partnerships, Health Sciences, Service, Careers, Medicine (Columbia)

dawson tate

First-generation student learns what college is really like

November 03, 2020, Page Ivey

Growing up in Indian Land, South Carolina, Dawson Tate’s vision of college came mostly from what he saw in the movies. But during his time in the Opportunity Scholars Program at South Carolina, Tate has decided he likes what he sees and wants to continue his education through the doctorate level so he can return to his hometown and become a teacher and principal.

Topics: Students, Academics, Scholarships, Careers, College of Education

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